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Countdown underway for relaunched Bromsgrove Festival

FESTIVAL FUN: Bromsgrove Festival is being relaunched to become a wider arts and cultural celebration.

THE countdown is well underway for the relaunched Bromsgrove Festival.

Established in 1960, the festival has been run for more than 20 years as a celebration of mainly classical music by a council, led by Dr Mary White.

Last year the Advertiser reported on a public meeting that was held to discuss the festival’s future and, from that, a new group was formed that has worked to relaunch the event, expanding it into a wider arts and cultural celebration.

The festival is being held between June 14 and July 20.

A full colour 40 page brochure, detailing some of the 80 diverse events being held over the five week period, has been published.

The community aspect of the festival is reflected in the large number of established events - including Bandstand Sunday afternoons at Sanders Park, Bromsgrove Carnival, and Court Leet's Midsummer events - being brought under the festival umbrella.

Bromsgrove's Artrix Theatre is playing a major role. The School Drive venue will also be hosting shows from Bromsgrove Operatic Society and Al and Sundry. It is also putting on an Artrix New Generation Festival, designed to engage young people in creative activities.

A new organisation, Festive Classics, has been formed and has organised a series of lunchtime concerts at the Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum. Continuing Mary White's legacy, classical musical will still feature prominently with performances from Barnt Green Choral Society and the Orchestra of St John.

Bromsgrove Folk Club has organised the 23rd annual folk festival featuring a number of folk artists.

The festival is being officially opened by Bromsgrove MP, the recently appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sajid Javid at an opening gala at the Artrix.

The gala is being held on Saturday, June 14, and includes a reception and a full showcase performance compered by members of Madcap Theatre and featuring All and Sundry, Bromsgrove Operatic Society, The Orchestra of St John, Bromsgrove Folk Club and Blackwell Concert Band. The evening will be rounded off with dancing in the marquee to the live sounds of Big Steve and the Bo's.

Bob Bignell, vice chairman at Bromsgrove Festival, said: "Under the tag line 'try something new' the festival includes many diverse events showcasing the depth of talent in Bromsgrove and surrounding areas at the same time as continuing the previous philosophy of featuring national and international performers."

Tickets for the gala can be purchased at Artrix box office by calling 01527 577330 or visit artrix.co.uk.

For more details on the festival, or for copies of the festival brochure, visit bromsgrovefestival.co.uk.

Copies of the brochure have also been made available at the Artrix, Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, Bromsgrove Library and many shops, pubs and clubs.